Parents urged to sign up for 30 hours of funded childcare in North Yorkshire

Working parents in North Yorkshire are being encouraged to take advantage of an expansion in childcare provision across the county.

From September 2025, eligible families will be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare a week for children from the term after they turn nine months old.

To meet the demand, North Yorkshire Council has helped to create 2,160 new childcare places – including 348 early years places and 1,812 wraparound school places.

Since April 2024, 18 early years providers have been supported through the Department for Education’s Capital Grant funding, enabling them to expand or open new provision.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, the council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, said: “Our early years providers are vital for the county, not only ensuring that our parents are able to work but that children get the benefit of an early years’ education which is crucial for their development.”

Embsay Children’s Centre Day Nursery near Skipton is among those to benefit. It has expanded its outdoor space, welcomed 10 more two-year-olds and recruited two new apprentices.

Owner and headteacher Caroline Midgley said: “Being able to accept a greater number of younger children is particularly beneficial for parents who live up the Dales and out of catchment for Embsay Primary School but have very limited local provision for their younger children.”

One of the new apprentices, Emily Sykes, 18, described her role as “incredibly rewarding”: “You get to see the children grow, learn and develop each day. The little moments are often the most special – like when a child learns something new, gains confidence, or achieves a milestone they’ve been working towards.”

As part of the scheme, schools are also being supported to offer wraparound childcare from 8am to 6pm during term time, helping parents to work more flexibly.

Families are being reminded to check their eligibility for the new entitlements. To qualify, parents need to be in work and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, while earning less than £100,000 a year.

More details can be found at: gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working.